Your Aromatherapy Star Sign - Gemini (22 May - 21 June)

Ruler: Mercury
Colour: Yellow
Element: Air
Season: Spring
Aromatic: Chamomile, sandalwood and lavender

Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis)
Chamomile, distilled from the herbal flowers, is one of the best oils available for treating anxiety and insomnia, having both a calming and anti-depressive effect. It has a profoundly balancing effect on the emotions which makes it ideal for the hyperactive, workaholic types or the chronic worriers. It is also a useful oil to use to help treat stress-related skin conditions such as allergies and eczema and is generally believed to stimulate the immune system making it useful for those people who tend to succumb to “bugs” when they are working very hard. Chamomile has been used for over 2000 years for treating nervous complaints. Its name derives from the Greek 'Kamai' meaning ground apple because of its fresh fruity scent. It was called Maythen by the Saxons and was revered as one of their nine sacred herbs, later being adopted by the Christians and dedicated to Saint Anne who was the mother of the Virgin Mary. In the language of flowers chamomile stands for “Patience in adversity". It is often known as the “Plants Physician” because it seems to improve the health of the plants within its immediate vicinity.

Sandalwood (santalum album)
Sandalwood is very much a soft comforting oil, emotionally comforting to men and women. It is very kind to the skin and has a balancing effect, bringing dry or oily skin to a state of equilibrium. It is a well known antidote to nausea and it generally calms the digestive system. It also has a soothing effect on the nervous system, calming the nerves and inducing sleep. The therapeutic properties of Sandalwood have been known since the fifth century BC. The wood has been considered sacred by most civilisations and was used to build temples whilst the oil has always been used in the embalming processes of ancient civilisations. The Indians believe that Sandalwood imparts energy into those using it and that it has the power to enlighten the mind. The Japanese use Sandalwood in their worship of and communication with Buddha whilst the Moslems believe that Sandalwood will purify body and soul and carry prayers heavenward.

Lavender (Lavendula Angustifolia)
Lavender is distilled from the flowers and leaves of the herb and is a very well known, widely used and inexpensive essential oil which is an effective anti-depressant. It is a good “balancer” so it is useful in helping people to recover from mood swings, is a well known treatment for insomnia and is equally good for relieving tension headaches. It has a restorative, tonic effect which makes it useful for treating individuals with debilitating fatigue or lethargy and it is an effective pain killer and anti-spasmodic so it is valuable in treating tension related “aches & pains” of a muscular nature. The name derives from the Roman 'Lavare' which means “to cleanse”. It refers to the Roman custom of scenting baths with the leaves and flowers of the plant. Matthiole the Sixth Century Botanist regarded lavender flowers as most effective against conditions of melancholy. Lavender was popular in the monastic medicinal gardens of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and even earlier than that, in the twelfth century, Abbotess Hildegarde dedicated a whole chapter in her herbal to the medicinal uses of Lavender. Lavender has been used since pagan times to purify the air and the mind. This is linked to another of its pagan uses which was to drive out wicked spirits and, later on, witches. Gerard in his Sixteenth Century Herbal said that the flowers helped to cure “lovesickness” and keep one chaste. However in the seventeenth century, prostitutes would wear a sprig of Lavender to advertise their trade. The Victorians thought that it was an excellent headache cure and would often wear a sprig under their hats.

Father's Day Pampering / Men's Grooming

Father's Day is on its way – you love him to bits but you're on a tight budget! Follow my top five credit crunch treats to show him you care:-

Give him a mini facial

Calm that shiny nose (or forehead if he is bald) and ensure there are no ingrowing hairs in the beard area to irritate him.

Totally skint – Mix inexpensive but luxurious Almond Oil with ground pudding rice (baby rice will do) to make a moisturising and gently exfoliating scrub and treat as above.

Got a little – treat him to our Potions & Possibilities Facial Scrub (1/2 price at £7.83), packed with natural plant extracts to soothe those worry lines and ground olive stones to gently buff away his cares. Gently apply with your fingers in circular upward strokes concentrating on the beard area and the nose and remove with hot cloths.

Relieve that work pressure

Totally skint – Take a washing up bowl and place a layer of pebbles in the bottom, fill with warm water and add 4 drops of Spearmint and four drops of Green Mandarin. Soak away his cares with a long relaxing foot soak.

Got a little - Add 3 drops of Cedarwood, 3 drops of May Chang and 3 drops of Bergamot to a foot spa and switch on. Alternatively treat him to our Executive Stress Relief Bath Oil (£10.99 150ml)

Comfort him with a gorgeous scent

Totally skint – mix 5ml of Cedarwood with 10ml of Bergamot and 5 ml of Lime and 15ml of Vodka . Add 50ml of water to the mix and use as a cologne.

Got a little - Treat him to Divinity Cologne from Potions & Possibilities – a luxurious treat at a sensible price! (£19.99 or 2 for £30)

Recondition those hard working hands and nails

Totally skint – place 2 tablespoonsful of olive oil in a small dish with 6 drops of Tea Tree and 6 drops of May Chang (the oil of tranquillity). Mix well. With the hands resting on a protective towel apply the oil so that it is wet on the hands. Place the hands in two sandwich bags and wrap up well with the towel. Add heat by resting the hands on a Potions microwave heatbag or a hot water bottle and leave for twenty minutes. Gently unwrap the hands and you will find the oil has disappeared into the skin leaving the hands and nails, soft, supple and very comfortable (if hands are affected by arthritis add pain relieving Lavender and Chamomile “natures steroid”).

Got a little – Moisture Relief for the hands from Potions & Possibilities (£6.99) for the ultimate conditioning treatment or use our Joint Ease Massage Oil instead of the olive oil mix (£9.99).

Help him sleep

Totally skint – Make him a pillow spray with 50ml Vodka into which 5ml of Lavender has been added. Top with 50ml water and place in a small spray bottle. Alternatively dry the bed linen in a dryer with 10 drops of Lavender added to a hanky in the dryer.

Got a little - Special Dad Bath & Shower Gel (£8.99) to relax the body and soothe the mind or our …and to Sleep Balm for his pulse points (£4.99).

For all the above mentioned Essential Oils please click here to view the premium grade, 100% pure oils available from Potions & Possibilities.

Happy Father's Day!

Julie

Julie's Aromatherapy Plant Roadshow - Rosemary

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis)

Rosemary has a stimulating effect on the nervous system and is commonly recommended as a tonic during periods of stress. It is clinically proven to improve memory and concentration and can combat work-related fatigue or improve focus as an aid to study. It is an effective hair tonic and is reputed to promote growth and improve condition.

Rosemary has a similar action to Eucalyptus so it is an excellent oil for treating colds and flu and clearing the sinuses. It is a warming oil which is helpful in treating muscular aches and pains and arthritis.

Safety note:
Avoid in pregnancy and if epileptic

Blends well with:
Lavender, Geranium, Sandalwood and Bergamot

Historical note:
Rosemary, from two words "Ros" "Marinus" meaning Rose of the Sea, was considered a sacred plant by the Romans. Christians believed that the flowers were originally white but turned blue when the Virgin Mary hung her cloak on a bush on the journey to Bethlehem. Throughout the ages Rosemary has been carried to ward off evil spirits and protect against illness. Its medicinal properties were documented as early as 1370 and it has been used throughout the ages since. In the West Rosemary has always been associated with the love of friends as in Ophelia's much quoted line from Hamlet "That's Rosemary for remembrance".

Julie's Aromatherapy Plant Roadshow - French Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)

Everyone's favourite - French Lavender!

Lavender, distilled from the flowers and leaves of the herb, is a widely used Essential Oil which is an effective anti-depressant. It is a good "balancer" so it is useful in helping people to recover from mood "swings.

It is a well known treatment for insomnia and it is equally good for relieving tension headaches. It has a restorative, tonic effect which makes it useful for treating individuals with debilitating fatigue or lethargy. It is an effective pain killer and anti-spasmodic so it is valuable in treating tension related "aches and pains" as well as the pain associated with arthritic or rheumatic conditions.

Also used for insect bites, chilblains, varicose veins and cellulite.

Blends well with:
Lemon, Bergamot, Geranium and Sandalwood

Historical Note:
The name derives from the Roman 'Lavare' which means "to cleanse". In Pagan times it was burnt as sacred protection against harmful spirits. Lavender was popular in the monastic medicinal gardens of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Gerard in his Sixteenth Century
Herbal said that flowers helped to cure "lovesickness" and all pains and "maladies of the head".
The Victorians lined their hats with it to ward off headaches. In the First World War it was used as an antiseptic for wounds and as a drug to ease psychological pain and to induce sleep.

Julie's Aromatherapy Plant Roadshow - Peppermint

Peppermint (Mentha Piperita)

Peppermint is believed to help improve concentration and clarity of thought.

Evidence from the Egyptian tombs dating back to 300BC shows that the benefits of Peppermint have long been recognised.

The name Peppermint is derived from the Latin word 'mente' meaning 'thought' because the Romans used Peppermint as a tonic for the brain.

Safety note: Non toxic
Skin: Ringworm, Scabies
Mind: Slows thought process, improves focus, memory aid, helps with inability to speak fluently Body: Stress related sensation of pain, headaches, flatulence, nausea, burping, stress related digestive problems (irritable bowel syndrome)

Swine Flu - Top tips for natural infection control

Swine flu is a form of influenza that originated in pigs but can be caught by, and spread among, people. The single most effective way to stop or slow the spread of diseases such as Swine Flu is to prevent the spread of germs.

Following recent Government guidelines to tighten up on health and hygiene I've put together my top tips for natural infection control:-

1. Apply a few drops of premium, therapeutic Tea Tree Oil onto the fabric between bra cups or on your kid's T-Shirt at the neck where it won't show. The heat of your chest causes the Tea Tree to rise so that you are constantly breathing in this amazing oil with its anti-viral and antibacterial powers.


2. Make your own credit crunch hand sanitiser. Mix 100ml of grain alcohol (vodka). Try Lidl for quality at a low price. Add 10ml of premium quality Tea Tree to the vodka then top up with 25ml of water. Store in a handy spray bottle or soak cotton wool pads and carry them around in a sandwich bag.


3. Sanitiser room spray – as above but add 5 ml of Geranium to the vodka and top up the mix with 100ml of water. Use in a spray or tie pre-soaked ribbons to the bars of a domestic fan to diffuse into the room.


4. Toilet seat wipes/door handle wipes/table wipes for when you are out and about. Spray the sanitiser room spray on to the surface and then wipe with disposable baby wipes or previously cut squares of cotton (old t-shirts, shirts and sheets are good)


5. In the microwave simmer a large dish of boiling water (2 pints) into which you have added 10 drops of Tea Tree and 10 drops of Lemon. After 15 mins remove carefully. Using heavy duty rubber gloves use the fragrant boiling water to wipe all surfaces, door handles and toilet areas throughpout the house. The mix is also good on dusters so that all furniture, mirrors, tiles etc are all coated with this fragrant antiseptic and anti-viral blend. WHEN THE KIDS ARE OUT I also stand my steaming water in the lounge and hall for the antiseptic fumes to circulate.


6. In your clothes dryer add a hankey onto which 6 drops of Tea Tree, 6 drops of Lemongrass and 6 drops of Geranium have been added – clothes smell fab and are naturally protective.


7. In the bottom of wardrobes stand a dish of salt (200g) into which 12 drops of Tea Tree, 6 drops of Citronella and 6 drops of Palmarosa have been added – natural protection against infection (and moths).


8. Add 2 drops of Tea Tree to each measure of shampoo or shower gel – or buy our Tea Tree range which includes handwash, shampoo and bath & shower gels


9. In the drum/bag of your vacuum cleaner put a cotton wool ball that has been soaked in a mixture of Tea Tree, Mint and Lemon for a mega-refreshing, antispetic scent.


10. Mix coursely ground salt with Tea Tree, Bergamot and Grapefruit (2 drops of each per heaped tablespoonful of salt) and sprinkle lightly on carpets and rugs – leave overnight and then hoover up.


11. Finally I always make sure the kids have a supply of antiseptic tissues. Add Tea Tree and Lemon onto 2 dozen sugar lumps, place these and a supply of tissues into a clean, sealed biscuit tin. The tissues are then impregnated with the Tea Tree and Lemon without risking the oil coming directly into contact with delicate skin or eyes.

If you have any further questions please just email at julie@potions.co.uk. All above mentioned oils are available at www.potions.co.uk.

Regards
Julie